Pruning-shears.



J. G.- KYLE.

PRUNING SHEARS.

APPLIGATION FILED DEo.21,19o.

Patented June 7, 1910.

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S wAsmNG ANDREW B, GRAHAM Cow Puur UNIT STATES PTEN JAMES Gr. KYLE, OF RIVER-SIDE', CALIFORNIA.

PRUNING-SHEARS.

lowing is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in pruning shears.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction of pruning shears, and to provide a simple, inexpensive and efficient instrument, equipped with blades arranged to open quickly and having an increased opening movement, and adapted to be operated with sufficient leverage to enable large branches, usually operated on by a saw, to be readily cut.

A further object of the invention is to provide pruning shears having handles so constructed as to effectually prevent their abutting ends from catching and pinching the hand of the operator.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction and novel combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and pointed out in the claim hereto appended; it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details of construction, within the scope of the claim, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawing z-Figure 1 is a side elevation of a pair of pruning shears, constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view, taken transversely of the blades of the shears, the latter being closed. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Figs. 4 and 5 are detail views, illustrating the construction of the abutting ends of the handles. Fig. 6 is a detail view of a portion of the shears, illustrating the construction for increasing the opening movement of the blades.

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawing. y

The pruning shears comprise in their construction a pair of pivoted members, consisting of outer blades 1 and 2 and inner handles 3 and 4, formed integral with the blades and providedadjacent to the inner ends thereof with shoulders 5, each spaced Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 21, 1908.

Patented June 7, 1910.

serial No. 468,490.

from the blade of the other member when the instrument is closed, as illustrated in detail in Fig. 6 of the drawing, and adapted to permit an increased opening movement of the blades. The blades, which have curved cutting edges, are relatively narrow to produce a quick opening movement. The membeis are connected together by a pivot 6, consisting of a screw having a head 7 at one end and an exterior-ly threaded portion 8 at tlie other end. The pivot is provided adjacent to its head with a rounded portion, and it has a squared portion 9, arranged between the rounded portion and the exterior threaded portion 8. The rounded portion is arranged in a circular opening 10 of one of the members, and the squared portion fits in a rectangular opening 11 of the other member, whereby the pivot is held against rotary movement with respect to such member. The threaded end or portion of the pivot is provided with a counter-sunk longi tudinal bore, and it has interior screw threads 12 of a different pitch from the exterior screw threads 8. r1`he exterior screw threads are engaged by a nut 13, and the threaded bore or socket of the pivot receives a screw 14, having a head of greater diameter than the exterior threaded portion of the screw, so as to project beyond the same and engage the nut, whereby the latter is locked on the pivot. The opening at the outer end of the nut is counter-sunk at 15 to conform to the configuration of the tapered head of the screw 14. By this construction any wear of the parts may be readily taken up by adjusting the nut and the screw.

The pivoted members are automatically opened by means of springs 16, preferably composed of leaves formed by doubling the spring metal. The springs are secured at their outer portions to the inner faces of the handles 3 and 4, and their inner ends engage each other, as clearly illustrated in Fig. l of the drawing. The abutting ends 17 of the handles are curved inwardly toward each other and are beveled at 1S in a direction longitudinally of the shears to provide outwardly diverging faces, and the said ends are also rounded to provide laterally diverging side faces 19. By this construction the ends of the handles abut only at the center of their inner edges, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawing. This will eifectually prevent the hand of the operator from becoming caught and pinched between the handles during the use of the instrument.

The handle 3 is provided with a projectT ing horn 20, located at an intermediate point between the ends of the handle and preferably about three and a half inches from the pivot in order to provide sufficient leverage for enabling relatively thick branches, which are usually cut with a saw, to be readily severed by the shears without inconvenience. In this position the hornis arranged in rear of thel front engaging ends of the springs,-.

and it is adapted to extend over and engage the hand between. the thumb and the fore fingen The horn prevents the hand of the operator, from slipping forward onthe handles of the instrument.

Having thus fully' described my invention, what I claim as new and desire toisecure by Letters Patent, is

An instrument of the class described including two pivoted members provided with handles having abutting ends curved in-v ward toward each other and provided with end edges beveled outwardly in a direction longitudinally of the instrument to form diverging faces and rounded transversely of the instrument to formdiverging side faces, said ends abutting only at the center of their inner edges to prevent the hand of the operator from. being caught and pinched between the handles of the instrument.

In testimony, that I claimthe foregoing asv my own, I have hereto affixed? my signature 1n the presence of two witnesses.

A. J; Twoeoon,` J. L. DEAN; 

